Corn removal device

ABSTRACT

A corn removal device including a housing constructed to be held by a user&#39;s hand and adapted to be moved along a surface of an ear of corn. The housing defines a cavity and an opening that accesses the cavity. The corn removal device also includes a blade attached to the housing adjacent to the opening. The blade is adapted to remove corn kernels from the surface of the ear of corn and guide the corn kernels through the opening and into the cavity for storage.

BACKGROUND

Corn is a common ingredient in many recipes. Specifically, corn kernelsare used to make a variety of foods, such as creamed corn and cornbread. In order to prepare such foods, the kernels on an ear of cornmust be removed. At home, one way to remove the kernels from an ear ofcorn is to use a knife. A user holds the knife and moves the knife sothat it cuts slightly behind the kernels along the surface of the ear ofcorn. Although this method accomplishes the task of removing the cornkernels, it tends to cut away part of the corn husk when the cut is toodeep or partially remove the kernels when the cut is not deep enough.Some of the husk may be mixed in with the removed corn kernels which isnot desirable. Furthermore, this method is dangerous as the user'sfingers or hand may be cut by the knife during use.

Corn strippers are tools which are designed to safely remove cornkernels from an ear of corn. Some corn strippers are free standingdevices which have several inwardly facing cutting surfaces or blades.These corn strippers define a through hole that enables an ear of cornto be moved downward through the middle of the corn stripper to removethe kernels from the ear of corn. These types of corn strippers requirethe user to use both hands and are difficult to use.

Another type of corn stripper is a handheld stripper which typically hasa handle and a blade at one end of the handle. A user holds the handleand moves the blade along the outer surface of an ear of corn to scrapeaway or remove the kernels. Neither of the above-described cornstrippers include a container to collect the kernels after they havebeen removed or cut away from the ear of corn. Instead, the kernels fallonto a surface such as that of a cutting board or countertop, and arethen collected by the user.

Certain corn strippers do have containers to store the removed kernelsfrom the ears of corn. Such a container is attached to an outer surfaceof the corn stripper as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,326,873. However, thestorage container either has to be removed or opened to remove thekernels and to clean the container.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved corn removal device whichenables a user to manipulate the corn removal device to remove cornkernels from an ear of corn while collecting the removed corn kernels.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a corn removal device which isholdable in a user's hand and which defines an internal compartment forstoring corn kernels removed from an ear of corn.

One embodiment provides a corn removal device including a housingconstructed to be held by a user's hand and adapted to be moved along asurface of an ear of corn. The housing defines a cavity and an openingthat accesses the cavity. The corn removal device includes a bladeattached to the housing adjacent to the opening. The blade is adapted toremove corn kernels from the surface of the ear of corn and guide thecorn kernels through the opening and into the cavity.

In an embodiment, the housing includes a top member and a bottom member,where the top member is removably connected to the bottom member.

In an embodiment, the top member defines a first slot at a first end ofthe housing and a second slot at an opposing second end of the housing,and the bottom member includes a first tab engagable with the first slotand a second tab engageable with the second slot, where the first tabengages the first slot and the second tab engages the second slot whenthe first and second members are connected together.

In an embodiment, the housing includes a top member and a bottom memberthat are hingedly connected together, where the top member is pivotablebetween an open position and a closed position.

In an embodiment, the housing includes a latch and an actuatorassociated with the latch. The latch is adapted to secure the top memberto the bottom member and the actuator is operable to release the latchto move the top member to the open position.

In an embodiment, the housing defines an additional opening to allow thecorn kernels in the cavity to be removed by the user.

In an embodiment, the housing includes at least one grip member.

In an embodiment, the blade includes a serrated edge.

In an embodiment, the housing includes a bottom surface defining agroove.

Another embodiment provides a corn removal device movable along asurface of an ear of corn. The corn removal device includes a housingincluding a top member removably connected to a bottom member. The topand bottom members define a cavity and the bottom member defines anopening that accesses the cavity. The corn removal device also includesa blade attached to the bottom member adjacent to the opening.

In an embodiment, the top member defines a first slot at a first end ofthe housing and a second slot at an opposing second end of the housing.The bottom member includes a first tab engagable with the first slot anda second tab engageable with the second slot, where the first tabengages the first slot and the second tab engages the second slot whenthe first and second members are connected together.

In an embodiment, the top member and the bottom member are hingedlyconnected together. The top member is pivotable between an open positionand a closed position.

In an embodiment, the housing includes a latch and an actuatorassociated with the latch. The latch is adapted to secure the top memberto the bottom member and the actuator is operable to release the latchto move the top member to the open position.

In an embodiment, the top member defines an opening to allow the cornkernels in the cavity to be removed by the user.

In an embodiment, the housing includes at least one grip member.

In an embodiment, the blade includes a serrated edge.

In an embodiment, the housing includes a bottom surface defining agroove.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a cornremoval device that is holdable in a user's hand and that has aninternal compartment that stores corn kernels removed from an ear ofcorn.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a corn removaldevice including a housing having a top member that is removable from abottom member where the top member and bottom members join to define aninternal compartment that stores corn kernels that have been removedfrom an ear of corn.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a cornremoval device including a bottom surface having a groove thatcorresponds to a surface of an ear of corn to allow the corn removaldevice to easily move along the surface of the ear of corn.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to likeparts, elements, components, steps and processes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the corn removaldevice of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the corn removal device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the corn removal device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the corn removal device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the corn removal device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the corn removal device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the corn removal device ofFIG. 1 illustrating the top member of the housing separated from thebottom member of the housing.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the corn removaldevice where the housing includes a top member that is pivotablyconnected to a bottom member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a corn removal device that includesa housing that defines an internal compartment and includes a bladewhere the housing is moved along a surface of an ear of corn and theblade removes corn kernels and guides them into the internal compartmentof the housing for storage.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a corn removal device 100 of the presentinvention is illustrated wherein the corn removal device includes a bodyor housing 102 having a top member 104 and a bottom member 106. Thehousing 102, and more specifically, the top member 104 and the bottommember 106, define a cavity, receptacle or internal compartment 107. Theinternal compartment 107 stores corn kernels that have been removed froman ear of corn as described in more detail below. Bottom member 106 hasa bottom surface 108 which includes a groove 110 and is contoured orshaped to correspond to the shape of the surface of an ear of corn.Specifically, the groove 110 has a rounded shape that corresponds to thegenerally, rounded outer surface of an ear of corn. A cutting member orblade 122 is attached to and extends generally outwardly from the bottomsurface 108 of the bottom member 106. In an embodiment, the blade has aserrated edge. It should be appreciated that the blade may have anysuitable edge or cutting surface. In the illustrated embodiment, theblade 122 has a generally curved shape that corresponds with the curvedshape of the groove 110. This enables the blade 122 to closely engagethe surface of an ear of corn.

As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom surface 108 and blade 122 are positionedto define a first opening 112 that provides access to the internalcompartment 107. The first opening 112 enables corn kernels that areremoved by the blade 122 to be guided into or moved into the internalcompartment 107 of the housing 102. It should be appreciated that theopening 112 may be any suitable size and shape based on the overall sizeof the corn removal device 100 and the size of the corn kernels to beremoved.

In the illustrated embodiment, the top member 104 and the bottom member106 of the housing 102 are removably connected together. Specifically,the bottom member 106 includes a first tab 114 at one end and a secondtab 118 at an opposing second end. The tab 114 is made of a flexible,resilient material which enables it to flex forwardly and rearwardly.The top member 104 defines a first slot 116 and a second slot 120. Theslots 116 and 120 are of a size and shape that correspond to the sizeand shape of the ends of the first and second tabs 114 and 118,respectively. The top member 104 and the bottom member 106 are joinedtogether by placing the top member 104 on the bottom member 106 (seeFIG. 7), or vice versa, and moving the top member and bottom membertogether until the first tab 114 engages or snaps into the first slot116 and the second tab 118 engages or snaps into the second slot 120.

To remove the top member from the bottom member, a user presses orpushes inwardly on the second tab 118 until the top member 104 isreleased from the bottom member 106 on that side of the housing 102. Theuser then moves or pivots the top member 104 upwardly away from thebottom member 106 which causes the first tab 114 to disengage from thefirst slot 116. The top and bottom members are now removed from eachother or separated so that the corn removal device 100 can be easilycleaned or so that the corn kernels stored in the internal compartment107 can be easily removed such as by tilting the container and dumpingthe corn kernels in a bowl or other container. It should be appreciatedthat any suitable connector, connectors or connection methods may beused to join the top member and the bottom member of the housing.

In an embodiment, the housing 102, and more specifically, the top member104, defines a second opening 113. The second opening 113 is a generallycircular-shaped opening which enables the corn kernels that have beenremoved from an ear of corn and that are stored in the internalcompartment 107 to be removed from the corn removal device 100 withouthaving to separate the top and bottom members. In use, the user simplytilts the corn removal device 100 on end so that the corn kernels storedin the internal compartment 107 fall out of the internal compartmentthrough the second opening 113 and onto a plate or container. It shouldbe appreciated that the second opening 113 may be any suitable size andshape.

In an embodiment, the housing 102 includes at least one grip member orgrip 121 that is positioned on a side of and is integrally formed withthe housing 102. Specifically, the grips 121 are protruding surfaceswhich generally extend from the sides of the top member 104. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a first grip member or grip 121 is positioned on one sideof the housing 102 and another grip member or grip 121 is positioned onan opposing side of the housing 102. The grips 121 are shown asgenerally elongated oval-shaped members but many be any suitable sizeand shape. In use, a user places one or more fingers of their hand onone or more grips 121 as the user grasps or holds the corn removaldevice 100. The grips 121 makes the corn removal device 100 easier tohold and manipulate.

In all of the above embodiments, the corn removal device, and morespecifically, all the parts of the corn removal device, are made of asuitable, durable material such as a plastic or plastics. The differentcomponents of the corn removal device would be injection molded and thenconnected together as necessary to form the corn removal device 100.

In use, a user grasps or holds the housing 102 by positioning his/herhand over the top of the housing 102 so that certain of the fingersengage grip 121 on one side of the housing, and their other fingers(i.e., their thumb) engage the grip 121 on the other side of the housingto firmly hold the housing 102. The user then positions the bottomsurface 108 of the corn removal device over or on a surface of an ear ofcorn. Specifically, the groove 110 is configured or shaped to correspondto and engage the surface of the ear of corn. The corn removal device100 is then moved along the surface of the ear of corn so that the blade122 removes the corn kernels from the ear of corn. As the blade 122 cutsor removes the corn kernels from the ear of corn, the blade 122 alsoguides the removed corn kernels into the internal compartment or cavity107 to be stored for later use. When the user is finished cutting and/orremoving the corn kernels from the ear of corn, the user separates thetop member from the bottom member by pressing on tab 118 to disengage itfrom the slot 120. (see FIG. 7) The top member is pivoted upwardly awayfrom the bottom member 106 to release the first tab 114 from the firstslot 116. After the top member and bottom member are separated, the usercan scoop up the corn kernels that were removed from the ear of corn ortilt the housing to dump the corn kernels onto a plate or into a storagecontainer.

Referring now to FIG. 8, another embodiment of a corn removal device 200is illustrated where the corn removal device includes a housing 202having a top member 204 and a bottom member 206 that are pivotablyconnected together. The top and bottom members 204 and 206 are notcompletely removable or separable from each other. Instead, a hingeassembly 208 having a hinge 210 is connected to the top and bottommembers at one end of the housing 102. The hinge 210 enables the topmember 204 to be pivoted or moved away from the bottom member 206 sothat a user can access the cavity or internal compartment of thehousing. Specifically, the bottom member 206 includes tab 212 and thetop member 204 defines a slot 214 where the tab 212 engages the slot 214when the top member 204 and bottom member 206 are pivoted intoengagement with each other. To release the top member 204 from thebottom member 206 (so that the top member can pivot to an openedposition), a user simply presses or pushes inwardly on the tab 212 todisengage it from the slot 214. This allows the top member 204 to moveoutwardly away from the bottom member 206.

As described above, the corn removal device 100 of the present inventionenables a user to securely and safely hold the corn removal device 100in their hand and move it along a surface of an ear of corn toefficiently and effectively remove the corn kernels from the ear ofcorn. The corn removal device 100 also enables the removed corn kernelsto be stored in a compartment for removal at a later time. This enablesthe user to more easily and efficiently remove corn kernels from an earof corn because they don't have to deal with assembling or handling thedifferent components or parts of traditional corn strippers which can beburdensome and difficult to use.

While the present invention is described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to thedisclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modificationsand equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of theclaims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may bemade without departing from the novel aspects of the invention asdefined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scopeof the claims.

1. A corn removal device comprising: a housing constructed to be held bya user's hand and adapted to be moved along a surface of an ear of corn,said housing defining a cavity and an opening that accesses said cavity;and a blade attached to said housing and positioned adjacent to saidopening, said blade adapted to remove corn kernels from the surface ofthe ear of corn and guide the corn kernels through said opening and intosaid cavity.
 2. The corn removal device of claim 1, wherein said housingincludes a top member and a bottom member, said top member beingremovably connected to said bottom member.
 3. The corn removal device ofclaim 2, wherein said top member defines a first slot at a first end ofsaid housing and a second slot at an opposing second end of saidhousing, and said bottom member includes a first tab engagable with saidfirst slot and a second tab engageable with said second slot, whereinsaid first tab engages said first slot and said second tab engages saidsecond slot when said first and second members are connected together.4. The corn removal device of claim 1, wherein said housing includes atop member and a bottom member that are hingedly connected together,said top member being pivotable between an open position and a closedposition.
 5. The corn removal device of claim 4, wherein said housingincludes a latch and an actuator associated with said latch, said latchadapted to secure said top member to said bottom member and saidactuator being operable to release said latch to enable said top memberto be moved to the open position.
 6. The corn removal device of claim 1,wherein said housing defines an additional opening to allow the cornkernels in said cavity to be removed by the user.
 7. The corn removaldevice of claim 1, wherein said housing includes at least one gripmember.
 8. The corn removal device of claim 1, wherein said bladeincludes a serrated edge.
 9. The corn removal device of claim 1, whereinsaid housing includes a bottom surface defining a groove.
 10. A cornremoval device movable along a surface of an ear of corn, said cornremoval device comprising: a housing including a top member removablyconnected to a bottom member, said top and bottom members defining acavity and said bottom member defining an opening that accesses saidcavity; and a blade attached to said bottom member adjacent to saidopening.
 11. The corn removal device of claim 10, wherein said topmember defines a first slot at a first end of said housing and a secondslot at an opposing second end of said housing, and said bottom memberincludes a first tab engagable with said first slot and a second tabengageable with said second slot, wherein said first tab engages saidfirst slot and said second tab engages said second slot when said firstand second members are connected together.
 12. The corn removal deviceof claim 10, wherein said top member and said bottom member are hingedlyconnected together, said top member being pivotable between an openposition and a closed position.
 13. The corn removal device of claim 12,wherein said housing includes a latch and an actuator associated withsaid latch, said latch adapted to secure said top member to said bottommember and said actuator being operable to release said latch to movesaid top member to the open position.
 14. The corn removal device ofclaim 10, wherein said top member defines an opening to allow the cornkernels in said cavity to be removed by the user.
 15. The corn removaldevice of claim 10, wherein said housing includes at least one gripmember.
 16. The corn removal device of claim 10, wherein said bladeincludes a serrated edge.
 17. The corn removal device of claim 10,wherein said housing includes a bottom surface defining a groove.
 18. Apeeler for removing peelings from an item, the peeler comprising: ahousing constructed to be held by a user's hand and adapted to be movedalong a surface of the item, said housing defining a cavity and anopening that accesses said cavity; and a blade attached to said housingand positioned adjacent to said opening, said blade adapted to thepeelings from the surface of the item and guide the peelings throughsaid opening and into said cavity.
 19. A peeler movable along a surfaceof an item, said peeler comprising: a housing including a top memberremovably connected to a bottom member, said top and bottom membersdefining a cavity and said bottom member defining an opening thataccesses said cavity; and a blade attached to said bottom memberadjacent to said opening.